A few older women sat downstairs, gossiping about everyone who walked past.
Tips
usage
长 "strong point" and 短 "shortcoming" together mean the good and bad points of people. Mildly disapproving: it suggests gossip behind someone's back.
history
Traced to the Han scholar 崔瑗, whose 《座右铭》 warns: do not speak of others' faults, do not talk of your own strengths. His piece is also where the word 座右铭 "motto" comes from.
